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Present-day heat flow model of Mars
Laura M Parro1, Alberto Jiménez-Díaz1, Federico Mansilla1
1Departamento de Geodinámica, Facultad de Ciencias Geológicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
Scientific Reports
|April 4, 2017
Summary
This study models Mars's present-day surface heat flow using radiogenic heat production and lithospheric properties. Results indicate an average heat flow of 19 mW m⁻², suggesting moderate secular cooling.
Area of Science:
- Planetary Science
- Geophysics
- Thermal Evolution Modeling
Background:
- Direct in-situ measurements of Mars's surface heat flow are unavailable.
- Previous studies relied on indirect methods like lithospheric strength and theoretical internal evolution models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a first-order global model for Mars's present-day surface heat flow.
- To estimate the contribution of secular cooling to Mars's internal heat.
Main Methods:
- Modeling radiogenic heat production in the Martian crust and mantle.
- Scaling heat flow variations based on crustal thickness and topography.
- Utilizing heat flow data derived from the effective elastic thickness of the lithosphere.
Main Results:
- The preferred model estimates surface heat flows ranging from 14 to 25 mW m⁻², with a global average of 19 mW m⁻².
- Similar results were obtained using lithospheric strength data from the South Polar Region.
- The Urey ratio was estimated at 0.7-0.75, indicating a moderate contribution from secular cooling.
Conclusions:
- The modeled heat flow values are consistent with low heat flow deduced from lithospheric strength.
- The results suggest a moderate role for secular cooling in Mars's current heat budget, assuming subchondritic abundances of heat-producing elements.